Unit and method for filling containing elements of single-use capsules for extraction or infusion beverages

A method for filling containing elements of single-use capsules with a dose of product for extraction or infusion beverages, the method comprising the following steps:

• moving a succession of containing elements along a first movement path, wherein the first movement path is a closed loop on a horizontal plane;
• rotating at least one rotary element having a helical profile with a first end of the helical profile and a second end of the helical profile about an axis of rotation positioned angularly inclined and not normal to the horizontal plane for creating a feed flow of product, from the second end of the helical profile towards the first end of the helical profile;
• moving a first containing seat along a second movement path passing through a forming region;
• releasing the dose of product in the first containing seat at a dose forming region for forming the dose of product;
• moving the first containing seat from the dose forming region to a dose transfer region;
• transferring, at the dose transfer region, the dose of product from the first containing seat to a second containing seat;
• moving the second containing seat from the dose transfer region to a dose release region;
• transferring, at the dose release region, the dose of product from the second containing seat to one of the containing elements advancing along the first movement path;
• wherein a hopper has a lower portion shaped as a hollow body dimensioned to temporary hold the dose of product coming from the at least one rotary element to create a layer of product which is released into the first containing seat at the forming region, the first end of the helical profile of the at least one rotary element being positioned facing above the lower portion of the hopper, and
• wherein the at least one rotary element applies a compressive action on the dose of product within the lower portion of the hopper by rotating the at least one rotary element at a speed of rotation that varies as a function of the angular position of the first end of the helical profile of the at least one rotary element, when the first containing seat transits for a filling time in the forming region, underneath the lower portion of the hopper, and the dose of product is released from the lower portion of the hopper into the first containing seat during the filling time,
• wherein the lower portion of the hopper has, in cross-section, identical dimension and shape of the first containing seat and said lower portion of the hopper is stationary with respect to a ground,
• wherein the at least one rotary element is positioned proximal to the first containing seat to be filled so as to apply a compressive action on the product released inside the first containing seat and wherein moving the first containing seat along a second movement path passing through a forming region or moving the first containing seat from the dose forming region to a dose transfer region comprises moving the first containing seat with respect to the ground and keeping the hopper stationary with respect to the ground.

A filling unit for filling containing elements of single-use capsules with a dose of product for extraction or infusion beverages, comprising:

• a transporting line for transporting the containing elements extending along a first movement path and provided with a plurality of supporting seats for the containing elements arranged in succession along the first movement path, wherein the first movement path is a closed loop on a horizontal plane;
• a filling station for filling the containing elements with the dose of product;
• a frame
• wherein the filling station comprises:
• at least a first containing seat designed to receive the dose of product;
• a forming substation for forming the dose of product inside the at least the first containing seat at a region for forming the dose of product and provided with a releasing device for releasing within the at least the first containing seat a predetermined quantity of product which defines the dose of product, the releasing device comprising a hopper stationary with respect to the frame and at least one rotary element rotationally housed within the hopper and having a helical profile with a first end and a second end, the at least one rotary element being configured for rotating about an axis of rotation, the axis of rotation being stationary with respect to the hopper and positioned angularly inclined and not normal to the horizontal plane, to create a feed flow of product from the second end to the first end of the helical profile, the forming substation being arranged in a first predetermined position with respect to the frame;
• at least a second containing seat designed to receive the dose of product from the at least the first containing seat;
• a transfer substation for transferring the dose of product from the at least the first containing seat to the at least the second containing seat, the transfer substation being arranged in a second predetermined position with respect to the frame;
• moving devices for moving the at least the first containing seat between the forming substation and the transfer substation;
• a release substation for releasing the dose of product from the at least the second containing seat to one of the containing elements transported by the transporting line;
• further moving devices for moving the at least the second containing seat between the transfer substation and the release substation;
• a drive and control unit operatively connected to the at least one rotary element and configured to rotate the at least one rotary element at a speed of rotation that varies as a function of the angular position of the first end of the helical profile of the at least one rotary element,
• wherein the hopper has a lower portion, stationary with respect to the frame, shaped as a hollow body dimensioned to temporary hold the dose of product coming from the at least one rotary element to create a layer of product to be released into the at least the first containing seat at the region for forming the dose of product, the first end of the helical profile of the at least one rotary element being positioned facing above the lower portion of the hopper, and
• wherein the at least one rotary element is configured to apply a compressive action on the dose of product within the lower portion of the hopper by rotating the at least one rotary element at the speed of rotation that varies as the function of the angular position of the first end of the helical profile of the at least one rotary element, when the at least the first containing seat transits for a filling time in the region for forming the dose of product, underneath the lower portion of the hopper, and the dose of product is released from the lower portion of the hopper into the at least the first containing seat during the filling time,
• wherein the lower portion of the hopper has, in cross-section, identical dimension and shape of the at least the first containing seat, and
• wherein the at least one rotary element is positioned proximal to the at least the first containing seat to be filled so as to apply a compressive action on the product released inside the at least the first containing seat,
• wherein the filling station further comprises a piston slidable mounted within the at least one first containing seat such as to be movable between a lower position wherein the piston defines a bottom wall of the first containing seat and an upper position wherein the piston closes an upper aperture of the at least one first containing seat, the upper aperture communicating with the lower portion of the hopper at the region for forming the dose of product.